Fated by Moon and Sea

Chapter Five: Little melody

Chapter Five: Little Melody

Savannah POV

The sun shines brightly overhead, warming my skin as I stand on the cliff overlooking the vast ocean. The salty sea breeze swirls around me, carrying the rhythmic sound of waves crashing against the rocks below. It's a soothing, familiar melody that has always comforted me. I close my eyes, letting the moment's serenity wash over me, and I begin to hum a tune that's been in my head all morning.

In the quiet of the night, when the stars refuse to shine,

I hear your voice, a whisper, in the echoes of my mind.

Love was like a river, flowing wild and free,

But now I'm left with memories of what we used to be.

Love, it lifts and breaks, like the tide upon the shore,

A dance of joy and sorrow that we can't ignore.

In the echoes of our past, I find a duty clear and true,

To carry on the love we knew in everything I do.

The weight of your absence, like a shadow on my soul,

Yet your love's a beacon, guiding me to be whole.

Heartbreak's a lonely path, but it leads me to the light,

Where the promise of tomorrow shines through the darkest night.

Duty calls me forward, with your memory in my heart,

To honor all we shared, even though we're apart.

For in every step I take and in every breath I draw,

I feel your love beside me, a presence never gone.

Love, it lifts and breaks, like the tide upon the shore,

A dance of joy and sorrow that we can't ignore.

In the echoes of our past, I find a duty clear and true,

To carry on the love we knew in everything I do.

"That's beautiful, Vannah." Orion's voice rings from behind me.

I don't need to turn around to know he's standing a few feet away from me. His rich scent of whiskey and musk surrounds me, and a shiver runs down my spine, not of unease, but of anticipation and the familiar warmth his presence always brings. His arms wrap around my torso, and he leans down to kiss the crown of my head. I melt into his embrace, closing my eyes and breathing him in, the man I love.

This is everything any girl would want—Orion, the heir to the Aetherium multiverse, the mirror universe of the Lycan and werewolf kingdom we know as Lunaris. And that girl is me. Despite everything, despite the complexities and the uncertainties of the future, I am in love with him.

Orion Ahearn is a striking figure, embodying the ethereal beauty and sophistication of the Triton race. In the multiverse of Aetherium, Tritons are often mistaken for mermen, but they are, in fact, the male counterparts of sirens. While sirens are known for their enchanting voices and captivating allure, Tritons possess a refined, otherworldly charm that sets them apart from supernatural beings.

Orion's appearance is the epitome of this Triton elegance. His lean, athletic build contrasts sharply with the rugged, muscular physiques typical of lycans and werewolves. While lycans exude a raw, primal power, Orion's form is more graceful and poised, reflecting strength and elegance. His features are sharp and perfectly symmetrical, giving him a statuesque beauty that is almost otherworldly. His high cheekbones, straight nose, and strong jawline are softened by a warm, inviting smile that can disarm even the wariest observer.

His skin has a smooth, porcelain quality, with a faint iridescent sheen that catches the light, hinting at his aquatic nature. This subtle glow, reminiscent of moonlight on water, adds to his ethereal presence. Orion's eyes are a deep, mesmerizing blue, reminiscent of the ocean's depths. They hold a calm, tranquil wisdom, capable of conveying profound emotion and insight. His gaze is captivating and reassuring, starkly contrasting the fierce and intense eyes of the wolves and lycans.

His hair is a striking silver-blond, long and flowing, often cascading past his shoulders. It shimmers like spun silver, adding to his regal appearance. Unlike the often wild and untamed hair of werewolves, his is always perfectly styled, enhancing his sophisticated demeanor.

Orion's nature as a Triton also grants him an affinity for water and a mesmerizing voice, much like the sirens. His speech can soothe or enchant, a talent he uses wisely as a prince of Aetherium. His presence is always composed, exuding a quiet confidence and grace that commands respect without the need for brute force.

My heart always flutters when he’s near. It’s not just his physical beauty that draws me in; it’s the way he looks at me like I’m the only person in the world who matters. It’s the gentleness in his touch, the way he holds me like I’m something precious. I love him deeply, in a way that feels as natural as breathing. Being with him feels like coming home, like the missing piece I’ve always been searching for.

With me being seventeen and about to turn eighteen in the next six months and Orion being twenty-nine, it's almost time to say our vows. I have been betrothed to Orion for five years now. He has been nothing but amazing. He has stayed faithful; there have been no rumors, girlfriends, or scandals, just life and devotion from his end. He claims he has loved me since he first saw me when my father, Asher, brought me over from Lunaris.

I am my father's illegitimate daughter. I don't know the entire story, but for some reason, my father and my stepmother, Selene, had become estranged for a bit. My father had traveled to Lunaris and had been involved with my biological mother. Who, at the time, had lost her destined mate and was grieving.

Unlike shifters, Sirens and Tritons do not have fated mates but chosen mates. Therefore, the bonds are different, but I've never seen two partners cheat on one another in my seventeen years of life. For Sirens and Tritons to bond, their auras, as in their voices, must be compatible. A siren can lure men in, but only a true partner can lure a fellow Triton in. Because of that, the king and queen chose me to mate with their son and heir.

It wasn't until my fifteenth birthday, when I sang at a party, that everything became clear. Orion, mesmerized by my voice, declared that it had drawn him in, signaling that I was a siren, not a werewolf. In our world, sirens and Tritons don't have fated mates like shifters. Instead, they choose their partners based on the compatibility of their auras and voices. Orion believed my voice called to him, marking me as his destined partner. At the time, I was thrilled. The idea of being chosen by someone as remarkable as Orion felt like a fairy tale come true. Like, holy s**t, little old me was going to be Queen. I was going to be wanted and cared for. Not that my father or stepmother or my quintuplet brothers—Onyx, Lux, Dax, Jax, and Fox—have ever let me feel that way. They welcomed me with open arms and loved me to the bottoms of the oceany depths of Aetherium, but there was this feeling inside me that always felt like I wasn't home and something was missing.

I had thought it was something with my biological mother being in Lunaris and me being a werewolf, but my father had explained there were no such things as hybrids. I was either a siren or a werewolf, and because of my voice, I had lured Orion in on my fifteenth birthday; when usually siren and Triton powers manifest, it became clear I was a siren and had no wolf genes.

My best friends, Aurelia Brightwind and Laasya Silvermoon, have been my anchors through all these changes. Aurelia, a Fairy Shifter from our clan, the Luminara Clan—the royal clan—is a burst of energy and light. Her mischievous nature and love for everything magical make her a joy to be around. She often pulls pranks, her laughter ringing like a melody, and she's always up for an adventure.

Laasya, on the other hand, is a werewolf shifter with a strong, protective nature. She's been my confidante and rock, especially when I've felt unsure about my place in this world. Laasya's fierce loyalty and unwavering support have been my constant source of strength.

As I stand there, lost in my thoughts, Orion's voice brings me back to the present.

"Your father is looking for you, my little melody," he says gently, his tone warm and understanding. "He wants to discuss some important matters with you."

I turn to face him, offering a small, appreciative smile.

"Thanks, Orion. I'll go see him now."

He squeezes my hand, his eyes filled with soft tenderness. "Remember, my little melody, I'm here for you no matter what happens. We'll face everything together. I care about you deeply, and I want to make this work for both of us."

My heart swells at his words, at the love I see in his eyes. I go on my tiptoes, kiss his cheek softly, and close my eyes, sending a silent prayer to whoever is listening that he is right. Because despite everything, despite the world’s expectations and the unknown future, I know one thing for certain: I love Orion. And I want our love to be strong enough to withstand anything.